With the announcement that the NFL lockout has claimed its first casualty with the cancellation of the Hall of Fame Game, we here at MuscleSport Mag promise to never complain about pre-season games again. Most NFL fans can do without the four exhibition contests held in August that showcase the starters for a few series and then are played between guys that will probably be cut before the next game.
With the future of training camps and possibly the entire pre-season hanging in the balance of a vote by the players, we can only hope that business does not get in the way. Sure, we all realize that it comes down to dollars and cents, but America's Game is way too important to not be played on Sundays.
What we would give to see those fifth-stringers getting some PT in the fourth quarter on a sweltering weeknight in a tied game.
Get this shit done already!
MuscleSport Mag
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Tennis Really Sucks
Perfect timing for my cardio session at the gym today with ESPN showing that Wimbelton crap. Tennis is shitty enough, but the match also happened to be in the men's division. I can deal with watching two twenty-somethings jiggling through a few sets, but didn't even get that.
I actually found myself peering towards the other screens showing some financial channel and music videos. Not exactly awe inspiring to get you through the end of your training session.
I know a lot of people are really into tennis and go apeshit over these major tournaments, but I have no use for either of them - the tennis or the fans. They're all annoying.
I actually found myself peering towards the other screens showing some financial channel and music videos. Not exactly awe inspiring to get you through the end of your training session.
I know a lot of people are really into tennis and go apeshit over these major tournaments, but I have no use for either of them - the tennis or the fans. They're all annoying.
Monday, May 30, 2011
NY Pro News & Notes
*Kai Greene certainly gave himself a boost heading into the Olympia. He hopes to crack into the top three - or better - in his third trip to Vegas. Perhaps sitting out the Arnold was a good strategy after all. We'll find out in September.
*Everyone is Kai crazy right now, but he will be up against the likes of Cutler, Heath and Warren. These guys will be a lot tougher than what he faced in Manhattan.
*Ronny Rockel continues to impress. The German competes multiple times per year and is never out of shape. That is s testament to what he puts into his diet and training.
*The MD forums have been abuzz with Cedric McMillan coddling. Even after the newcomer won the Europa recently, it seemed as if the fans went out of their way protecting him whenever his victory was called controversial. Now he drops out of the top 10 at the New York Pro in a line-up that cannot be considered deep by any stretch. The big man has a lot of potential and should be able to rebound from this.
*If we thought that the Kevin English-David Henry battle was the one to watch in the 202, then a new chapter was written Saturday night when Jose Raymond edged Flex Lewis. The decision could have went either way and these two guys should meet again in September. English made it clear to raymond - enjoy this while you can.
*Everyone is Kai crazy right now, but he will be up against the likes of Cutler, Heath and Warren. These guys will be a lot tougher than what he faced in Manhattan.
*Ronny Rockel continues to impress. The German competes multiple times per year and is never out of shape. That is s testament to what he puts into his diet and training.
*The MD forums have been abuzz with Cedric McMillan coddling. Even after the newcomer won the Europa recently, it seemed as if the fans went out of their way protecting him whenever his victory was called controversial. Now he drops out of the top 10 at the New York Pro in a line-up that cannot be considered deep by any stretch. The big man has a lot of potential and should be able to rebound from this.
*If we thought that the Kevin English-David Henry battle was the one to watch in the 202, then a new chapter was written Saturday night when Jose Raymond edged Flex Lewis. The decision could have went either way and these two guys should meet again in September. English made it clear to raymond - enjoy this while you can.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Live From the 2011 NFL Draft - News & Notes
So far, there have been a few surprises and the usual obvious picks. The difference this year is the specter of the labor negotiations hanging over everyone's head. Trades can still be made, but the various team's war rooms will have to be content moving only picks and not live players.
Cam Newton may not be a slam dunk overall number one, but he has a great upside and the Carolina Panthers are looking to start fresh with a new coach and face of the franchise. A player he has been compared to is Vince Young, who is finished in Tennessee with the Titans selecting quarterback Blaine Gabbert eighth overall.
The Atlanta Falcons seem to be looking for the crown in the 'reach' department by trading a one, two, four and 2012 one and four to move up 21 spots to take wideout Julio Jones of Alabama. Not a great move and that was the reaction by the crowd when the deal was announced.
Perhaps the best pure player in this draft went fifth with the Cards picking DB Patrick Peterson from LSU. Another nice selection was Nick Fairley (Auburn) by Detroit at number 13 to team up with Suh on a d-line that is headed in the right direction in the Motor City
Cam Newton may not be a slam dunk overall number one, but he has a great upside and the Carolina Panthers are looking to start fresh with a new coach and face of the franchise. A player he has been compared to is Vince Young, who is finished in Tennessee with the Titans selecting quarterback Blaine Gabbert eighth overall.
The Atlanta Falcons seem to be looking for the crown in the 'reach' department by trading a one, two, four and 2012 one and four to move up 21 spots to take wideout Julio Jones of Alabama. Not a great move and that was the reaction by the crowd when the deal was announced.
Perhaps the best pure player in this draft went fifth with the Cards picking DB Patrick Peterson from LSU. Another nice selection was Nick Fairley (Auburn) by Detroit at number 13 to team up with Suh on a d-line that is headed in the right direction in the Motor City
Monday, March 21, 2011
Controversy Sells, So Why Should We Be Any Different?
Charlie Sheen hasn't been the most spoken about person of late because he has been behaving like an altar boy. The train wreck that has been his party of a life seems to be around every corner and on every web page. But that's because the masses flame the fires by wanting more of him.
The reason? When things start to go bad, then people give a shit. Waiting for the explosion and watching it get there has become them mantra of many a media outlet and they haven't exactly filed for bankruptcy, either.
Taking the hint, we here at MuscleSport Mag would be foolish to not catch lightning in a bottle. We did it last year with the entire Christian Darrow underground MMA fiasco and saw another chance with the Mets/Spanish players issue. Why? Because it gave our site a shitload of new web hits...the name of the game when you're in this business.
A lot of places will try to justify their actions by making up some crap and giving their readers a song and a dance. We don't. How do we justify our actions? By telling you the truth - in the articles and why we chose to run them.
There have been a few antagonists on various forums on the Internet that have a problem with us being so up front and having the balls to run a story like that. Fortunately, these people have been in the minority and are nary a hinderance to us. We'll keep having fun and their anger is just another part of that.
And because we have chosen to run these stories, that doesn't make us a 'follower.' Quite the contrary, we feel that our platform is one in the 'leader' category. Bringing bodybuilding and sports together the correct way (not just putting a football player on the cover and asking him what exercises he does) the way we have is unprecedented in the industry.
The reason? When things start to go bad, then people give a shit. Waiting for the explosion and watching it get there has become them mantra of many a media outlet and they haven't exactly filed for bankruptcy, either.
Taking the hint, we here at MuscleSport Mag would be foolish to not catch lightning in a bottle. We did it last year with the entire Christian Darrow underground MMA fiasco and saw another chance with the Mets/Spanish players issue. Why? Because it gave our site a shitload of new web hits...the name of the game when you're in this business.
A lot of places will try to justify their actions by making up some crap and giving their readers a song and a dance. We don't. How do we justify our actions? By telling you the truth - in the articles and why we chose to run them.
There have been a few antagonists on various forums on the Internet that have a problem with us being so up front and having the balls to run a story like that. Fortunately, these people have been in the minority and are nary a hinderance to us. We'll keep having fun and their anger is just another part of that.
And because we have chosen to run these stories, that doesn't make us a 'follower.' Quite the contrary, we feel that our platform is one in the 'leader' category. Bringing bodybuilding and sports together the correct way (not just putting a football player on the cover and asking him what exercises he does) the way we have is unprecedented in the industry.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
The Arnold Expo - What Is and What Was
You can never have a bad time at the Arnold Expo, only a good time that was equal to or better than previous days walking the hallowed halls of the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The opportunity to see the most beautiful bodies in the world for hours on end can be enough eye candy even for the most desperate. Guys like me love the attention the scantily clad women give us while handing out the free samples and I'm sure that the cougars are drooling over the men doing all they can to take up as much room as possible.
With that said, was I the only one that noticed a stripped down version - and not in a good way - of the booths? VPX usually has one of the largest in the hall with their team of amazing ladies wearing that recognizable blue, but they were either hiding from me or not there at all.
Less gorgeous ass handing out samples that were 1/4 of what they were only a few years ago made it a bit lonely. I actually saw a few companies have their T&A help cut protein bars into slivers that barely had any taste left they were so thin. Kind of like the thickness of the onions cut with a razor blade by Vinny in the jail scene in "Goodfellas."
And I used to leave there with a large bag or two bursting with free goodies, without even trying. I know I'm there to work and don't walk around with an agenda for swag, but my luggage had no problem taking in the 'extras' I came away with this year. T-shirts used to be all over the place, but now you have to work for one.
Sure, the economy has effected everyone, including the supplement companies. I'm not that stupid. But it makes one yearn for the 'good ol' days' from not that long ago when you had more silicone throwing out full protein bars than you can handle.
With that said, was I the only one that noticed a stripped down version - and not in a good way - of the booths? VPX usually has one of the largest in the hall with their team of amazing ladies wearing that recognizable blue, but they were either hiding from me or not there at all.
Less gorgeous ass handing out samples that were 1/4 of what they were only a few years ago made it a bit lonely. I actually saw a few companies have their T&A help cut protein bars into slivers that barely had any taste left they were so thin. Kind of like the thickness of the onions cut with a razor blade by Vinny in the jail scene in "Goodfellas."
And I used to leave there with a large bag or two bursting with free goodies, without even trying. I know I'm there to work and don't walk around with an agenda for swag, but my luggage had no problem taking in the 'extras' I came away with this year. T-shirts used to be all over the place, but now you have to work for one.
Sure, the economy has effected everyone, including the supplement companies. I'm not that stupid. But it makes one yearn for the 'good ol' days' from not that long ago when you had more silicone throwing out full protein bars than you can handle.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Some Thoughts With the 2011 Arnold Classic Behind Us
Another great weekend in Columbus has come and go and now it's time to reflect on all of the events that took place over the last few days. The weather sucked with constant rain and even some snow last night, but we knew that we weren't going to Hawaii.
Branch Warren looked amazing and deserved to win his first 2011 Arnold Classic and fifth Most Muscular Award. He brought an unbeatable package with him from Texas and even joked that he needs to build another mantel over his fireplace to house all of the new hardware.
Runner-up Dennis Wolf came in strong and better than his FLEX Pro appearance two weeks ago. Since he has trained himself gain last summer, the Big Bad Wolf is back and in a big way. Victor Martinez was a mild surprise at third, but he did appear much improved since his eighth place finish at the Olympia. A former Arnold Classic champion, the Dominican Dominator was not spoken about as being a threat but proved his critics wrong.
If the first call outs at the pre-judging were any indication, Evan Centopani was headed for the top three. But the winner of the FLEX Pro took fourth, not bad when you also factor in that this was only his third pro show and first Arnold.
It appeared that experience and reputation were the deciding factors in Dexter Jackson finishing ahead of Ronny Rockel. The German could have easily finished as high as fourth, but took home his second consecutive sixth place check from Ohio.
Places seven, eight and nine could have gone many different ways, but Johnnie Jackson came in better than Roelly Winklaar and Toney Freeman and deserved to place just out of the top six. Ben Pakulski looked as serious as a corpse during his posing routine and (surprisingly) squeaked into the top 10 in his maiden Arnold.
Two minor head scratchers were Fouad Abiad finishing in 12th place and Robert Piotrkowitz 14th. Abiad did lose some of his sharpness in the 14 days following his third place finish at the FLEX, but still had enough to fare one or two spots higher. And Piotrkowitz should not have fallen all the way to last, even behind Essa Obiad and the smooth looking Pakulski.
Branch Warren looked amazing and deserved to win his first 2011 Arnold Classic and fifth Most Muscular Award. He brought an unbeatable package with him from Texas and even joked that he needs to build another mantel over his fireplace to house all of the new hardware.
Runner-up Dennis Wolf came in strong and better than his FLEX Pro appearance two weeks ago. Since he has trained himself gain last summer, the Big Bad Wolf is back and in a big way. Victor Martinez was a mild surprise at third, but he did appear much improved since his eighth place finish at the Olympia. A former Arnold Classic champion, the Dominican Dominator was not spoken about as being a threat but proved his critics wrong.
If the first call outs at the pre-judging were any indication, Evan Centopani was headed for the top three. But the winner of the FLEX Pro took fourth, not bad when you also factor in that this was only his third pro show and first Arnold.
It appeared that experience and reputation were the deciding factors in Dexter Jackson finishing ahead of Ronny Rockel. The German could have easily finished as high as fourth, but took home his second consecutive sixth place check from Ohio.
Places seven, eight and nine could have gone many different ways, but Johnnie Jackson came in better than Roelly Winklaar and Toney Freeman and deserved to place just out of the top six. Ben Pakulski looked as serious as a corpse during his posing routine and (surprisingly) squeaked into the top 10 in his maiden Arnold.
Two minor head scratchers were Fouad Abiad finishing in 12th place and Robert Piotrkowitz 14th. Abiad did lose some of his sharpness in the 14 days following his third place finish at the FLEX, but still had enough to fare one or two spots higher. And Piotrkowitz should not have fallen all the way to last, even behind Essa Obiad and the smooth looking Pakulski.
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